Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge
Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge

Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge

Ashford Full-Time 39600 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Freedom Leisure

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Inspire people to be active and manage leisure services across Kent & Tandridge.
  • Company: Join Freedom Leisure, a leading leisure and cultural trust in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible hours, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in senior operational roles and strong leadership abilities required.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours with excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 39600 - 66000 £ per year.

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!

If you feel driven to inspire people to be more active, improve their wellbeing and would like a job that will make a real difference to local people\’s lives then Freedom Leisure is the place for you! An outstanding opportunity has arisen to join our team at Freedom Leisure, one of the fastest growing and successful leisure and cultural trusts in the UK.

Responsibilities

  • Business & Sales Management – accountability for the business, budgetary and cost‑centre performance across sites in your area. Ensuring sales are driven forward, developing the business plan and leading a staff team to achieve key performance targets.
  • Operational Management – ensuring day‑to‑day management and running of leisure services and events is of the highest standard.
  • People Management – ensuring work standards and performance are at the highest level through effective recruitment, leadership, management and development of all staff.
  • Partnership Management – develop outstanding working relationships and liaise regularly with local authority Partners to ensure delivery of their objectives and contract compliance.

Hours: 37 hours a week – flexible to meet the demands of the business.

Requirements

  • Previous experience in a senior operational leisure role.
  • Proven track record of leading and managing a change in culture.
  • Experience of leading a multi‑site operation that includes large‑scale events.
  • Outstanding commercial awareness with experience of managing and delivering sales targets and income performance.
  • Excellent IT skills to produce and interpret reports and data.
  • Awareness of industry developments and trends.
  • Problem solving, project management, customer service and staff management experience.

Benefits

  • My Staff Shop benefit scheme – discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, e‑vouchers, gifts, days out, leisure activities.
  • Discounted staff membership (including family members).
  • Incremental holidays.
  • Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential counselling.
  • Company pension.
  • Various insurance and saving schemes.
  • Financial advice.
  • Cycle‑to‑work and car leasing tax‑efficient schemes (salaried staff only, depending on earnings).
  • Fully funded training and career progression opportunities.

Closing date: 31st October 2025

Salary: up to £55,000 per annum + car allowance

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Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge employer: Freedom Leisure

At Freedom Leisure, we are committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve in Kent & Tandridge. As an Area Manager, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development, offering flexible hours, competitive salaries, and a range of benefits including discounts on leisure activities and fully funded training opportunities. Join us to inspire others to lead healthier lives while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample growth potential in one of the UK's leading leisure trusts.
Freedom Leisure

Contact Detail:

Freedom Leisure Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the leisure industry, especially those connected to Freedom Leisure. Attend local events or join online groups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Freedom Leisure's values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission to inspire people to be more active and improve wellbeing.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your previous roles have prepared you for the Area Manager position. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've driven sales and managed teams effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Freedom Leisure team.

We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge

Business Management
Sales Management
Operational Management
People Management
Partnership Management
Change Management
Commercial Awareness
IT Skills
Data Interpretation
Problem Solving
Project Management
Customer Service
Staff Development
Event Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Area Manager role. Highlight your previous experience in operational management and any achievements in driving sales or leading teams.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for inspiring people to be active and how you can contribute to Freedom Leisure's mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your experience in managing teams and driving cultural change. We want to see how you've successfully led multi-site operations and achieved performance targets in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application!

How to prepare for a job interview at Freedom Leisure

✨Know Your Numbers

Make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators relevant to the role. Brush up on your budget management skills and be ready to discuss how you've driven sales in previous positions. This will show that you understand the business side of things and can contribute to Freedom Leisure's success.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in a multi-site operation. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your people management skills and your ability to inspire others.

✨Understand the Local Community

Research the local area of Kent & Tandridge and think about how Freedom Leisure can make a difference there. Be ready to discuss potential partnerships with local authorities and how you would ensure contract compliance. This shows you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in making an impact.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like managing a large-scale event or resolving a customer service issue. Prepare by thinking through your problem-solving strategies and how you would apply them in real-life scenarios at Freedom Leisure.

Area Manager - Full Time - Kent & Tandridge
Freedom Leisure
Location: Ashford

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